Police obtained surveillance footage of the attempted murder and robbery suspect at Cigar and Smoke Shop in Manhattan Beach. A shotgun was allegedly inside the cardboard box. Photo courtesy of MBPD

Police are looking for the armed robbery suspect who allegedly slit the throat of an employee at Cigar and Smoke Shop in Manhattan Beach on Thursday.

Police were dispatched to the scene at about 4:11 p.m. after Verizon employees noticed the victim walk out of the smoke shop, handcuffed and bleeding, according to Manhattan Beach Sergeant Ron Walker. The shop is located in a small strip mall on the northeast corner of the intersection of Aviation and Artesia boulevards.

The male black suspect, presumed to be in his early 20’s, 5-feet-8 to 6-feet, and with a light mustache, walked into the smoke shop about 30 minutes earlier carrying a long-barreled shotgun. He was wearing jeans, a white dress shirt and a black tie, Walker said.

Police said surveillance video reveals the suspect and the lone employee – his coworker was out to lunch – had a verbal exchange and moved into the back room. “I don’t know what was said,” Walker said.

The suspect allegedly put the victim’s wrists in handcuffs and proceeded to slit his throat.

Shortly after, the suspect took a silver cash box and fled. It’s unknown at this point how much money was in the box, Walker said.

Surveillance footage of the crime. Photo courtesy of MBPD

The victim managed to exit the shop, after which Verizon employees sat him down and called the police. The victim was transferred to Harbor General hospital and underwent surgery. He’s expected to survive. “He’s going to be okay,” Walker said.